Pexeva Tablets (paroxetine mesylate) - Engage in Living

Patient Profiles

Below are examples of patient types who could benefit from Pexeva. These cases do not describe actual patients.



ANNA, age 41

Present Symptoms

  • Anna has had long bouts of depression for more than a year
  • In the last few weeks, she frequently has been absent from work, and often goes to the movies instead
  • Anna says she "hates" her job, yet feels unable to change her situation
  • She cries every day, sometimes sobbing for hours
  • By week 6 into her treatment with Pexeva, all symptoms of depression and irritabilty had clearly improved

BRENDA, age 54

Present Symptoms

  • Much of Brenda's day is spent talking with or trying to reach her 2 adult children, one in college, one working in another city
  • She worries excessively about their health, relationships, and day-to-day activities
    - Symptoms ongoiong for more than 6 months.
  • At work, she is distracted and avoids the personal interactions with students and school employees which she used to enjoy
  • Brenda cries during her intake interview, "in fear for her children"
  • By week 12 into her treatment with Pexeva, Brenda's phone calls to her children were reduced to twice a week; her performance and satisfaction at work were much improved

JUAN, age 40

Present Symptoms

  • Juan's hands look chapped and raw; he says that he is terrified of catching germs and washes his hands dozens of times each day
  • He dreads that he might hurt someone he loves, even his parents
  • He is chronically late on the job, due to putting all the items in his room in order and ritualistically checking and re-checking his clothing
  • Juan admits that his thoughts and behavior are irrational, but he is unable to control them
  • After starting treatment with Pexeva, Juan has continued to improve, until his obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors no longer interfered with his life

LOUISE, age 59

Present Symptoms

  • Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, characterized by palpitations, extremely anxious, cold sweats, and nausea
  • Symptoms peak within 10 minutes
  • In between episodes, Louise is terrified that an attack will strike at any time
  • She no longer drives or even rides in a car
  • Her life has become so restricted that she has stopped working
  • After 3 months of treatment with Pexeva, the number of Louise's panic attacks were reduced by more than 50%

Use of PEXEVA®

PEXEVA (paroxetine mesylate) is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults.

Depression is a serious medical condition that in some people can lead to suicidal thoughts. As with any medication, there are benefits and risks with PEXEVA. It is important to discuss these with your doctor.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What Is The Most Important Information You Should Know About PEXEVA?

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should discuss with the healthcare professional right away any worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thinking or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior. PEXEVA is not approved for use in children and teens.

Who should not take PEXEVA?

    Do not take PEXEVA if you:

  • Are allergic to paroxetine mesylate or any of its ingredients.
  • Are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have taken one within 2 weeks.
  • It you are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine) or Orap® (pimozide).
  • If you are taking Paxil® or any other medication that contains paroxetine.
What should I tell my healthcare professional about before taking PEXEVA®?
  • Talk with your doctor about your medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, diabetes, seizures, or bi-polar disease, and your alcohol use.
  • Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye).
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. The use of paroxetine during the first 3 months of pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of severe health problems in the unborn baby. Some of these health problems affect the baby's heart. Use during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause dangerous lung complications in newborns. For these reasons, women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant should discuss other treatment choices with their doctor. Women who are breast feeding should also talk to their doctor before taking PEXEVA.
  • Call your doctor if you have very high fever, rigid muscles, shaking, confusion, or rapid changes in heart rate and blood pressure. These may be signs of a rare but serious side effect called Serotonin Syndrome.
Also talk with your healthcare professional about the following precautions:
  • All patients taking antidepressants should be watched closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal, especially when they first start therapy, or when their dose is increased or decreased. Patients should also be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's doctor right away. Please read the accompanying Medication Guide.
  • Before starting PEXEVA, tell your doctor if you're taking or plan to take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including migraine headache medication (triptans), other antidepressants or antipsychotics, herbal preparations, and nutritional supplements, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition.
  • Taking PEXEVA with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen), warfarin, or other drugs that affect coagulation may increase the risk of bleeding events.
  • Some studies have shown that taking PEXEVA with Tamoxifen for breast cancer may reduce the efficacy of Tamoxifen.
  • When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower their daily dose of PEXEVA, discontinuation symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or reducing your dose of PEXEVA.
  • Until you see how PEXEVA affects you, be careful doing such activities as driving a car or operating machinery.
  • You should avoid drinking alcohol while on PEXEVA.
What side effects may occur with PEXEVA?

As discussed above and in the Medication Guide, serious side effects can occur with PEXEVA. The most common side effects that have been reported with PEXEVA include nausea, sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, feeling anxious, trouble sleeping, sexual problems, sweating, shaking, not feeling hungry, dry mouth, constipation, infection, and yawning.

Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling.

If you have any questions about PEXEVA, call your doctor. Be sure to let your doctor know if you notice any unusual changes while taking PEXEVA and never stop your medicine or change your dose before speaking with your doctor.

Please see accompanying Medication Guide for PEXEVA and the full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNINGS-Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs.

PEX-3001